6 OF 14 
Elsa Lanchester; Charles Laughton
6 of 14 portraits of Elsa Lanchester
© estate of Yvonne Gregory / Camera Press
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Elsa Lanchester; Charles Laughton
by Yvonne Gregory
bromide print, July 1931
8 1/8 in. x 6 1/8 in. (205 mm x 155 mm)
Purchased, 1980
Photographs Collection
NPG x11868
Sittersback to top
- Elsa Lanchester (1902-1986), Actress. Sitter in 14 portraits.
- Charles Laughton (1899-1962), Actor. Sitter in 19 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Yvonne Gregory (1889-1970), Photographer; wife of Bertram Park. Artist or producer associated with 110 portraits, Sitter in 9 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Laughton and Elsa Lanchester met on stage in 1926 and married in 1929. Their careers took a parallel course and they appeared in several films together including The Private Life of Henry VIII(1933), Rembrandt (1936) and Witness for the Prosecution (1958). She is best known for the title role in The Bride of Frankenstein (1935).
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (photographer's studio, 43 Dover Street, London)
Events of 1931back to top
Current affairs
Sailors at the Invergordon naval base mutiny in response to pay cuts. The cuts of up to 25% were part of the government's attempt to deal with the Great Depression by reducing public spending. Sailors protested by holding meetings and refusing orders.Dr Harold Moody founds the League of Coloured Peoples, lobbying for equal rights for black people in Britain and for international civil rights.
Art and science
The modern tube map is introduced. Harry Beck's design was unique in following the properties of a circuit diagram rather than the geographical location of the stations.The Vic-Wells Ballet company is founded by Dame Ninette de Valois and housed by Lilian Baylis at Sadler's Wells Theatre. It was granted a Royal Charter in 1957 and became the Royal Ballet.
International
The Second Spanish Republic is established. Following an election dominated by the Republicans, King Alfonso XIII abdicated and a new constitution was drawn up.The Statute of Westminster grants legislative equality to the self-governing Dominions of the British Empire. The Statue decreed that the British Government could no longer make ordinary law for the dominions unless it was at their request and with their consent.
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